Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Oh Goddess—it feels so good! I can’t believe he finally changed the color of my eyes, she thought.
“Yes, I did and they’re beautiful. I’ve never seen such a gorgeous, velvety purple.”
Bear was looking into her eyes and Aleena realized that she was hearing his voice but not from his lips…the deep, rumbling tones were coming from inside her own head. Which must mean that…
“We’re Bonded! This is what you meant by sharing thoughts, isn’t it?” she sent through their new link as she looked up into his face.
He nodded.
“Yes, baby—we’re Bonded. And that means we’ll never be apart again. My sweet, courageous, curvy little bride,” he continued, stroking her cheek. “Truly the Goddess has blessed me richly. I swear to spend the rest of my life cherishing you and making you happy.”
Aleena felt a rush of pleasure and happiness that seemed to overflow because her heart just couldn’t contain all of it. She thought of the fear and apprehension she’d felt when she’d first agreed to their marriage but she was so glad she’d gone through with it. If she hadn’t, she never would have found the man she could love forever.
And it was all because she’d agreed to be…Married to the Beast.
EPILOGUE
ALEENA
“What a beautiful ceremony! The two of you look perfect together.”
Aleena smiled at the kind words and thanked Sophia, who was Commander Sylvan’s wife. She had been watching from the front row of chairs set up in the Sacred Grove along with Aleena’s mother, who was overcome with joy to see her daughter getting Joined.
It made Aleena glad all over again that Bear had made the suggestion of a second Joining Ceremony. For of course, her mother hadn’t been allowed to attend their first one, though she had always longed to see her daughter’s special day.
Also, the second ceremony had been so much happier than the first. No expense had been spared and Kat, the woman who had helped plan the ceremony, had set up an elegant reception for after the wedding. There was a snowy white tent spread over the verdant parkland beside the Grove and inside there were many small tables and one large one, all of them decorated with beautiful flowers. She had also been invited and she was beaming at Aleena and Bear as they accepted the well-wishes of the guests.
“The two of you are going to be truly happy—I can tell,” Commander Sylvan said, smiling as he took his wife’s arm.
“Sylvan told me your story and how you fell in love,” Sophia said to Aleena. “But there’s one thing I’m still wondering about—whatever happened to your awful stepmother and sister?”
“I’m afraid they didn’t come to a very good end,” Aleena told her. “None of my family did—other than my dear mother who moved here with me, of course.”
“Would you mind telling her, my Bear?” she sent through their mental link. “I don’t like to talk about it.”
“Of course, baby.”
“I went back to Karpsian Prime to speak to their Council and explain what had happened,” Bear told Sophia. “At first Sir Greggor and his wife and daughter tried to dispute my claims, but we had holographic evidence of what they had done to my bride.”
His arm tightened protectively around Aleena’s shoulders and she leaned against him, glad to have the comfort of his big body so close to hers.
“You did? So what happened—if you don’t mind me asking,” Sophia said.
Aleena shook her head.
“I don’t mind. But Bear tells it better.”
“Sir Greggor lost his spot in the Ruling Council and was stripped of his rank,” Bear said. “He disavowed his wife and daughter—the two of them are living on their own now.”
“They’re in the same place my mother and I used to live,” Aleena said. She wondered if the two women were enjoying the hovel which was drafty in the winter and sweltering in the summer. It had never been a very nice place, but it was better than being out on the street.
“Also, because of their egregious actions, both Grindelia—Aleena’s stepmother, and Faleesha—her sister, were put on a permanent Disavowment List,” Bear went on. “Which means that neither of them can ever marry again. From now on they’ll have to work for a living and get by the best they can.”
There was no mistaking the satisfaction in his voice. Justice had been served. As a Kindred, he would never harm a woman physically, but Aleena knew he was glad her awful stepmother and sister had been properly punished.
“Wow!” Sophia’s eyes went wide. “So they pretty much got what they deserved.”
“They did,” Bear agreed and Aleena nodded. She was still dealing with the trauma her stepmother and sister had put her through, but it felt good to know that neither of them was in a position to ever do something so heinous again.
“And the best part is, the contract that Bearick negotiated still stands,” Commander Sylvan said heartily. “They also said that Bearick and his bride are welcome to come back anytime—they even offered to make him a permanent part of their Council.”